The Republican journal., 1887-01-20
Prof. Bateman has the Floor.

1IOIs DdL6Wdu udS tu6 lUOrs
To THE EDITOR OF THE JOURNAL: In the
language of Prince Murat, ''dere has been
great efforts and much troubles to make every
body believe ME candidate for leadership in
the Prohibition party; but dat is of no conse-
quence.' The idea of office in connection with
politics is SO thoroughly ingrained in the minds
of old party leaders that they cannot realize
how any one who touches upon the subject can
be governed by principle. For this they are
not to blame and We cheerfully forgive them.
Personally, permit me to say that | am desirous
neither of office or leadership. / have already
once declined the use of my name in connection
with Il Prohibition nomination for Congress,
and there will be ample time for similar dec
lination when there is any danger of its being
rendered. Neither have | the slightest ambi-
tion to become a ''eader.' As my friend
johnson so beautifully expresses it, ''aint''
built that way; no, l ''ain't!' Now the gentle
men will please sit down and not get excited.
In my recent reply to "a Reader notice that
you eliminated some portions on account of
the severity of its tone. That my language
was severe there can be no doubt but this was
a matter of necessity rather than choice on my
part; knowing. as | did, that the sensibilities
of Il man capable Of attacking another while
hiding behind a nom de plume, would be en-
tirely impervous to any ordinary rebuke. But
did it not occur to you, Mr.. Editor, that there
might be method in my madness? l simply
wanted to smoke him out and rake him de-
clare his identity. Had | succeeded in this
every trace of anger would instantly have dis
appeared. l should then have handled him in
an altogether more artistic manner. The
blutlgeon would have been laid aside and the
scalpel have taken its place. In my Borden
town and the Bonapartes' | said nothing that
| regret or would change. 1t is not impossible,
however, that some portions would not be con
>dered strictly logical. l was not writing on
politics or law. In a literary letter | sometimes
prefer Il well rounded sentence to fautless
logic If to be an admirer of the Bonaparte
family is crime then the quicker it is known
that am Il criminal the better. | am equally
enthusiastic i'll my admiration of Burns, the
Scottish bard. of Tom Moore, the sweet singer
of Ireland. and of Lord Bryon, the master of
English verse. Each of these gifted men had
failinyS far worse than any possessed by Jos
eph Bonaparte. 1t does not follow of necessity
that because we admire their genius and their
justice that we must accept, adopt. or approve
their vices. "A Reader mentions the case of
Il rare and radiant maiden who discarded her
lover because of some little vices which he
possessed. 1t is barely possible that the Tilted
swain in question might have made Il good huS
band notwith th>tandny those failin.s | have a
friend i'll Belfast who smokes >ome >wears Il
little. and Is not very religious; but yet he is Il
mighty good fellow every body likes him, and
the people of Belfast have even made him
their Mayor! ! have lots of just such friends
all over the State of Maine, and | have never
yet had occasion to be ashamed of their friend
ship or to apologize for their actions. But then
this moral obtu>ene>> is doubtless due to the
fact that | have never posed As a @oody goOdy.
"A Reader should himself have married the
ancient sybiI in question. Together they would
have mcanucred down the hillside of life cast
inc AL etfulg halo of virtllous glory upon all
who came within the orbit of their charmed
circle. For myself | prefer to 80 ploddillg on
in the old style. Possessed Of many tailinys
myself | can afford to be charitable toward the
weakness of others. The instincts of common
deccncy have ever prompted me to speak kind
y of the dead. war with the palace but not
with the tomb. Were | writing Of the Roman
Nero should en,eavor to say some kindly
word. That he did some noble act during his
life of inhnnanity there can be little doubt:
for fragrant flowers We're placed upon his
grave by some unknown hand. have refer
red TO these personal matters at greater length
than intended. for which, Mr.. Editor must
ask your kind indulgence. Hereafter | shall
pay not the slightest attention to any attacks
male upon myself. If any one chooses to
impugn my motives or my character they can
do with the full assurance that they will re-
ccive no ca>tigation at my hands My person.
aHty is of no earthly consequence. But every
time they attack the Prohibition party will
bring them up with jerk. Don't forget that
our correspondents are prai>ing the Journal
for its iberality IN opening its columns to a
free discussion Of this question. If am any
judge | should say that thus far it has been
rather Il one sided affair. Why don't some Of
these gentlemen who are pinng for Il discus
sion come forward and present the other side
of this question: They might commence by
DrEi onp of hp al ,Ia ft.4rS 1f
or DR.. Reynolds. Either of those gentlemen
would be only too happy to give them all the
discussion they want. After they We're through
III that direction. if their energies Were not too
much exhausted, they might butt their heads
against one of my humble productions. | will
try to be equally as accommodating. Truth is
what We all want. and Il fair discussion might
possibly reveal the gem. | notice in last weeks
journal that Mr.. +. {. Dow, Of Monroe. has
made an attempt in this direction. This am
His article was well written and is probably
the best presentation of the Republican side of
the controversy that we shall get. Admitting
this, let us see how his argument will hold wa
ter Mr.. Dow starts out by saying that he is
willin" to concede to every man the right to his
own opinions on this subject In the next
sentence he tells us that 1.-THE Prohibition party
Is largely composed Of cr;lks. and what is
worse, party sore heads After this display
of consistency who can doubt his randor: lie
tells us that unconstitutional Prohibition is Just
as etlectual when secured by non-political
means. though it had been obtained by
party Vote" Constitutional Prohibition was
merely sop thrown to temperance men by
boM the old parties without the slightest nteli-
tion of enforcement. There is not a gill less
liquor drank in Maine to-day than if the law
had never passed Mr.. Dow saws that prohi-
biton once granted would never stop the maxi
ing and using of Intoxicating beverages.' He
then proceeds to clinch the argument by ask
hAn I.Ayy. "A =